In the latest of our comprehensive series of reviews of DC Comics' 52 relaunched titles, we take a look at Green Lantern #1

Who's it by?
Green Lantern #1 is written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.

What's the history?
Green Lantern is pretty darn iconic. Writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell introduced the original incarnation of the superhero in 1941's All-American Comics #16. Alan Scott was the first character to wield the power ring, an awesome weapon handed down by the galactic police force known as the Guardians.

Scott's influence faded as the post-World War II era decline hit the comic book industry, but Green Lantern was reimagined for the Silver Age as a test pilot named Hal Jordan. John Broome and Gil Kane's take on the character proved a smash hit, and he soon became a prominent fixture in DC's Universe, going on to become a founder member of its Justice League.

Although it can't claim to have an uninterrupted run, the Green Lantern title has long been a mainstay in DC's catalogue. Several other characters have assumed the title role over the years, notably Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner. Jordan was reinstated as Earth's Green Lantern representative by Geoff Johns in 2004's Green Lantern: Rebirth.

What's new?
Everything from Green Lantern's creative team of Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke, to its continuity remains unchanged. The comic picks up where War of the Green Lanterns ended, with long-time villain Sinestro reinstated in the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan kicked out of it. However, it comes as a surprise is that Sinestro is the book's focal point

What happens?
Sinestro is reinstated in the Green Lantern Corps after being selected by a power ring. The Guardians offer him a chance at redemption for the years of havoc he's caused, but the character's motives are unclear at this stage.

Back on Earth, Hal Jordan is having a tough time. He's unemployed, on the brink of eviction, and his relationship with Carol Ferris is on the rocks. He's even thrown in jail very briefly following a genuinely funny scene in which he assaults an actor during a movie shoot, mistaking it for an act of domestic violence.

Sinestro is confronted by a former ally from the Yellow Lanterns, who brands him a traitor. He responds by denying the allegation and killing his accuser, adding further ambiguity to his exact role in the overarching story. The comic ended with him visiting Jordan on Earth with interesting proposition.

What's the verdict?Green Lantern #1 is everything a relaunch title should be. Long-time readers will enjoy its dedication to continuity, while newcomers are given everything they need to know in bite-sized chunks.

Hal Jordan is presented as a man who has fallen from grace, and Sinestro a cold-hearted being with a shot at redemption. Doug Mahnke's artwork captures the stand-out qualities of both character, often through subtle details applied to facial features.

Dialogue is a little exposition-heavy, but Geoff Johns's versatility as a writer is on show throughout. DC's chief creative officer is as comfortable playing for laughs with the down-on-his-luck Jordan, as he is handling a character as complex as Sinestro.

The only real action to speak of comes when Sinestro is confronted by a Yellow Lantern and condemned as a traitor. The reinstated Green Lantern responds by taking down his accuser with lethal force. It's a well-handled scene that sparks speculation about Sinestro's true allegiances, though perhaps the issue's greatest strength is that it doesn't rely action to generate drama.

Green Lantern is off to a strong start, though the title will be weighed and measured on where Johns and Mahnke take it from here. The dynamic between Jordan and Sinestro will no doubt make or break the series depending on how it is handled, though with such an acclaimed creative team at the helm, fans surely have nothing to fear.